You would think that a guy who has ridden a bike down the hairpin turns of the Alps in the rain at breakneck speed wouldn’t be scared by much … but there I was in a huge cargo plane approaching an icy and snow-covered runway. The massive plane was being flown by a really intrepid kid who seemed far less unnerved by the total lack of visibility. We couldn’t see the ground until we got to about 500 feet above it. And we were surrounded by 25,000-foot mountains.

That was how we got to Afghanistan, arriving in a blizzard after being delayed by the bad weather.

Before arriving here to Kabul, we traveled from Kuwait to several bases in Iraq. We have been to Tikrit, Al Taqaddum Air Base in Fallujah, Camp Ramadi in Al Anbar and Balad Air Base.

The pace of the tour is non-stop. We are constantly moving by helicopter, airplane, armored vehicle to new places and the next show. One thing never changes, the troops are the best audience ever. Their enthusiasm is unbelievable.

Particularly given what they endure every day. First, it’s cold here in Afghanistan and even in Iraq. Bone-chilling cold and the heaters don’t work all that well.

Our accommodations are pretty Spartan. No one on the crew is complaining about that for sure. Still, our conditions are kind of plush compared to what the troops live with for much longer periods of time. They don’t complain, either.

Another thing … they don’t leave the base. They entertain themselves with movies, X-Box games and computers. There are no bars or restaurants to hang out at. This is an active war zone in a Middle Eastern country. Despite what you may see in movie and TV depictions of war, there is no partying going on here.

However, we get a rowdy greeting at every show, and from everybody, no matter their rank. It is cool to see the diversity of these crowds. The men and women here are all ages and they come from everywhere.

Flying in blinding snowstorms is not the only new experience. It took four and a half hours to fly from Iraq to Afghanistan because we had to go around Iran. We were flying with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with whom we had an interesting conversation about the geopolitics of this area … and a pretty good explanation for our flight plan.

And have you ever been on a cargo plane with no windows that is banking at 60 degrees to do a corkscrew landing? I wouldn’t recommend it.

Despite all that, we have never felt truly scared or in danger. We are surrounded by our nation’s finest. They are incredibly skilled and courageous. They have shown us the kind of hero’s welcome that they deserve.

For example, troops here who have been stationed in Europe have come up to me with photos of past Tours de France they have been to. I’ve enjoyed chatting about the Tour and signing the photos.

So every minute we have spent with the troops has been a privilege. The guys and I watched some Monday Night Football with a group of Marines. When we parted ways, they said what a memorable night it was. I was thinking the same thing.

Signing off from Kabul … I’ll check in from the next post.

Lance

The AP is covering the tour. Read their latest dispatch here.